Biden Challenger Confronted on Kamala Harris Comments

Congressman Dean Phillips backtracked on his previous criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris when confronted in an interview on CNN Tuesday evening.

Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, is running a long-shot campaign to upset President Joe Biden's reelection bid in 2024. Recent polling shows the lawmaker well behind the president, however, despite Democratic voters indicating that they would prefer to see "another Democrat" enter the race.

During an interview with The Atlantic published on Tuesday, Phillips may have further hurt his chances with Democratic voters after telling the outlet that he had heard from others in the party that Harris may not be the right choice as president in the event that Biden cannot serve. Concern has been raised from both sides of the aisle that Biden, who turned 81 on Monday, may be too old to complete another four-year term.

"I hear from others who know her a lot better than I do that many think she's not well positioned," Phillips said of Harris while speaking to The Atlantic. "She is not well prepared, doesn't have the right disposition and the right competencies to execute that office."

Phillips added in his interview that he had not personally "seen those deficiencies" in Harris and was only repeating comments he's heard from others. But during an appearance on CNN NewsNight Tuesday, the congressman was questioned about his comments by anchor Abby Phillip.

"I did not articulate that distinctly," Phillips told CNN. "That was asked of me. Others have said that to the reporter in question."

"What I've said is when I've been around her, I've been impressed," he continued. "She's been kind. She's been thoughtful and decent. But what I'm trying to explain to Americans—whether it's relative to the president's age or the standing of Vice President Harris amongst Americans—if Democrats wish to beat Donald Trump, Abby, if Democrats want to beat Donald Trump, this is not about protecting people, it's about protecting the principle of democracy."

Phillips' comments to The Atlantic sparked backlash on social media from Democrats and allies of Harris, including California Congressman Robert Garcia, who wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "He better keep the VP's name out of his mouth and apologize."

When pressed further about his statements on CNN Tuesday, Phillips said that he did not "recall" repeating criticisms of Harris while speaking to The Atlantic, and said he personally is "defending the vice president."

"I don't recall saying those words," Phillips said. "Let me say this, though. I'm defending the vice president because I think she's a good person. I think she is well-prepared. But I'm telling you the country has a different opinion, and that's exactly what I said there."

"And, by the way, I think Joe Biden is a good person," he continued. "I respect him. The country is saying they do not want him to be the next president. By the way, Democrats are saying that about both of them. That's all I'm pointing out."

According to a poll conducted by Yahoo News/YouGov that was published last week, 54 percent of Democratic primary voters wish to see "another Democrat" enter the 2024 race over Biden. In the same poll, however, both of Biden's current Democratic challengers—Phillips and author Marianne Williamson—polled at just 4 percent each. The president was supported by 64 percent of those surveyed.

Harris, though, has outperformed Biden in a handful of key swing states when put up against former President Donald Trump, the current front-runner for the GOP nomination. According to a New York Times/Siena College poll published earlier this month, Harris fared better than Biden in a hypothetical matchup with Trump in Michigan, Georgia and Nevada.

Newsweek reached out to Harris' office for comment via email on Wednesday.